Control valve for hydraulically



A. S. REID Sept. 12, 1939.

CONTROL VALVE FOR HYDRAULICALLY OPERATED MACHINE IOOLS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 17, 1937 Sept. 12, 1939. A. s. REID 2,172,595

CONTROL VALVE FOR HYDRAULICALLY OPERATED MACHINE '10OLS Filed Dec. 17, 19 57 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 M ,m m

A. s. REID 2,172,595

Filed Dec. 17, 1937 -sheetssheet 3 LZEJebZk?! mwbsw CONTROL VALVE FOB HYDRAULICALLY OPERATED MACHINE TOOLS Sept. 12, 1939.

A. S. REID Sept. 12, 1939.

CONTROL VALVE FOR HYDRAULICALLY OPERATED MACHINE TOOLS Filed Dec. 17, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Sept. 12, 1939. 5 RED 2,172,595

CONTROL VALVE FOR HYDRAULICALLY OPERATED MACHlNE TOOLS I Filed Dec. 17, 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 l on line 3-0; Fig. 5 on line AGF. and Fig. 6

on line AH- F; Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view Patented Sept. 12, 1939 CONTROL VALVE iFOR-HYDRAULICALLY OPERATED MACHINE TOOLS Andrew S. Reid, Beverly, Mass r Application December 17, 1937, Serial No. 180,384

This invention relates to a control valve for controlling 'the flow of liquid to hydraulically- 8 Claims.

operated machine tools or the like.

The invention has for one of its objects to pro- 5 vide a novel and improved control valve which may be used with advantage to control the flow of liquid in a novel and superior manner to and from a plurality of outlets connected to supply hydraulic pressure to the operating members of a machine tool.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel machine tool of the type embodying a plurality of hydraulically actuated operating members in which provision is made ,for controlling the machine to insure predetermined successiv operation of the operating members.

With these objects in view and such others as may hereinafter appear, the invention consists are longitudinalcross-sectional views through the valve, illustrating the parts in different positions of operation, the sections being taken on different radial lines as viewed in Fig. 7 as follows: Fig. 2 on line B-C;' Fig. 3 on line C-D; Fig. 4

' taken on the line 1-4 of Fig. 1; Fig. 8 is a crosssectional view taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken'on the line 1 99 of Fig. 1; Figs. 10, 11 and 12 are developed views of parts of the valve to be referred to and which illustrate the liquid escapement ports of the valve, and 13 is a diagrammatic view ilrequire the movement of the work with relation to the cutting tool to perform the machining operation such as horizontal planers or grinders. As an example of such hydraulically powered machine tools, reference may be had to U. 8. Patent No. 1,925,908,- to Andrew tember 5, 1933.

S. Reid, issued Sep- In such hydraulically operated machine tools the'work is set up in operating relation to the cutting tool and the work table is then reciprocated' horizontally to perform the machining operation and, in a grinding machine, for example, the cutting tool or grinding wheel is advanced transversely with relation to the work after each longitudinal movement of the table. Boththe work table and the cross-feed are operated hydraulically and it is the. aim of the present invention to provide a valve for controlling the operation of these parts in such 'a manner as to insure successive operation of the work table and cross-feed and to eliminate any possibility of slmultaneous or partially overlapping operation thus preventing cutting or grinding of the work in diagonal paths.

One of the practical d'ifliculties experienced in prior control valves of the character of the pres- .ent valve, resides in the fact that the ports of the-valve members would not be definitely and positively aligned under all conditions of operation, such for example, as when changing from one rate of either the table movement or crossfeed movement to another. The actuating force for the table movement terminates as soon as the ports supplying hydraulic pressure for operating the table are cut off and before the full movement to the cross-feed ports is reached. Prior valves have depended upon the momentum of the op erating member, such as the table or the crossfeed, after the pressure has been cut on by the control valve in order to complete the full movement of the valve members toichange the alignment of the ports from one outlet to another. In practice it was found that when operating thetable at low speeds such as from ten to twelve feet per minute the momentum of the table could not be depended upon to insure alignment of the ports because at this rate of speed, the table would practically come to a stop as soon as the pressure was cut oil. The cross-feed usually operates at slow speed and consequently possesses little mo- 'mentum. V 1

The'present invention contemplates the provision of auxiliary means for automatically moving the valve members from one supply outlet to another after the movement of one of the operating members has terminated thus eliminating the necessit'yof depending upon the momentum {of the operating members of said machine tools andassuring positive anddefinite' alignment of the d'iflerent ports in the valve during the operation of,the machine. Provision isalso made for operatively connecting one operating member, such as the table feed, with the valve member which when moved at the end of the stroke of such operating member, serves to start the operation of the second operating member such as the crossfeed, thus insuring successive and not simultaneous operation. Referring now to the drawings, in its preferred ,form the present control valve comprises a housing l0 enclosed at either end by flange members I2, l4 and provided with an inlet I 6 for receiving liquidunder pressure from any usual source, such as a pressure pump I1, and outlets 20, 22, 24, 26 for delivering the liquid to the mechanism for actuating the operative members of an hydraulically powered machine tool. A central outlet I9 is provided as a common exhaust outlet for theliquid being returned from the machine.

The housing I0 is provided with three cylindrical valve members 28, 30, 32, the outer meme ber 28 comprising a stationary sleeve fixed in the housing by a pin 34. The intermediate valve member 39 comprises a sleeve slidingly fitted within the outer sleeve 291 and is enclosed at either end by the caps 35, 38. The remaining valve member 32 comprises a cylindrical member slidingly fitted within the sleeve, 30.

Each valve 'member is provided with a plurality of ports and escapements, as will be described. and the two inner members 39, 32 are arranged 28 by studs 40, 42' which fit into slots or keyways 44, 45 respectively, thus preventing rotary movement of the valve members. Dln'lng each cycle of operation of the control -'valve, the ports are successively aligned to deliver liquid to the outlets in the following sequence: first to outlet 20; second to outlet 22; third to outlet 24 and last to outlet 26. In its preferred form the control valve is arranged so that the first outlet 20 is operatively connected to the mechanism for actuating the cross-feed of a machine tool; the second outlet 22 actuates the table movement inone direction; the third outlet 24 advances the cross-feed again and the last outlet 26 moves the table in the opposite direction.

- As diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 13, the

outlets 20, 24-may. be connected by discharge lines 2|, 23,.to the end of cylinders 25, 21 provided with pistons 29, 3I respectively. The pistons are adapted to be forced from the cylinders under the influence of the oil pressure from the pump l1 and the pistons may be operatively connected to the cross-feed of a machine tool in any usual or preferred manner such as that illustrated in the Reid patent above referred to. Similarly, the outlets 22, 26. may be connected by discharge lines 33; 3 5to the end of cylinders 31, 39, respectively. .The cylinders 31, 39 are provided with pistons 4|, 43 respectively which may be directly connected with the work table 45 of a machine tool, indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 13.

Provision is made in the improved valve for initiating the movement of the valve members, when changing from one set of ports to another, by the movement of the operating members of the grinding machine or other hydraulically powered machine tool and as herein shown, the movable valve members '30, 32 are operatively confeed or tool carrying member, respectively of 'such hydraulically powered machines. As illustrated in Fig. 13, the initial movement of the bellcrank 48 may be effected through connections from the work table 45 and, as herein shown, the work table is provided with dogs 295, 206 which are arranged to engage a lever 208 and to rock the latter in the direction of movement of the table at or near the end of the working stroke of the latter. The lever 208 is connected by the rod 49 to the bell-crank 49 so that, in operation, the valve member 30 will be shifted to align a different set of ports, as will be described. Similarly, the initial movement of the bell-crank. may be effected through the cooperation of a dog 2), attached to the piston 29, with either of the levers 212, 214 which are operatively connected together by a link 2l6. The lever 2|2 is connected to the bell-crank 50 through the link 2l8, bellcrank 229 and link 5| so that in operation when the piston 29 nears the limit of its stroke in either direction, the bell crank 50 and the valve member 32 will be shifted accordingly. As illustrated -herein, see Figs. 1 and 3, the movable sleeve 30 is I 36, 38 and is provided at its outer end with a similar shifting collar 64 which cooperates with the studs 65 in the bell-crank 59. The collar is reta ned on the rod by a similar nut 61.

As above stated, the valve members 30, 32 are merely started in their movement from one position of alignment to another by the movement of the operating members of the machine too]. As will be described, the complete stroke -or movement into alignment with a different set of ports is accomplished by auxiliary positively operating means which functions to move the valve members into definite positions entirely independently of variations in momentum of the machine tool operating-members. As herein shown, such auxiliary means comprises fluid operated means connected'to the valve members, and the operation thereof is controlled by a series of ports and escapements in the valve members as will be described. Thus, for example, in the present valve if the full movement from one position of align- ,ment to another is assumed to be three quarters of an inch, and the initial movement is approximately one quarter of an inch, then the auxiliary means will move the valve members the remaining one half of an inch to complete the stroke.

Referring now to Fig. 3, 'as illustratedtherein,

the'auxiliary movement of the inner member 32 is accomplished by means of pressure exerted by the liquid upon either face of a piston 10 which v is fixed to the endof the rod 69. The piston III is slidingly fitted within a cylinder formed in the hub 12 of the flange member l2. The liquid is delivered from the valve through escapements, as will be described, and through either of the "conduits I4, 16 to the piston chamber 15, each conduit alternately acting as a pressure conduit andas a relief or exhaust conduit.

The auxiliary movement of the movable sleeve 30 is accomplished by the application of liquid pressure directed into either end of the chamber 18, formed by the end flanges I2, I4 and the inside surface of the stationary sleeve 28. Suitable ports and escapements are provided in the valve movable longitudinally within a chamber 80 formed by the inside surface of the sleeve 30 and the end caps 36, 38. Although no pressure is directed into this chamber 80, yet any liquid locked in either end would tend to deter the I movement ofthe cylinder 32 and in order to overcome this possibility a hole 82 is bored in the cylinder 32 to permit the liquid to escape from one end of the chamber 80 to the other during the movement-of the valve members 30 and 32 Referring now to Fig. 2 and to the developments in Figs. 10, 11' and 12, the flow of the liquid to the cross-feed outlet 20 will now be described.

Assuming the valve members to be aligned in the liquid into the outlet 20 to operate the cross-feed.

r" it During the movement of the cross-feed or during the time the liquid is directed through the outlet 28, the liquid previously delivered to the hydraulic mechanism is being returned through the opposite outlet 24. This returned liquid is disposed of through an exhaust chamber H2 cut in the housing Ill and into the common outlet I8. As illustrated in Fig. 2, the course of the liquid before entering the exhaust chamber is through the ports I69, III in the valve members 28, 36 respectively, and thence upwardly through an exhaust port I I4 which communicates with the,

exhaust chamber I I2. I

In the operation of the control valve, at the.

end of :the movement of the cross-feed, the bellcrank 50 efl'ects the movement of the movable member 32 to the next position of discharge, i. e. to the outlet 22 leading to the table actuating mechanism. As shown in Fig. 3, when the valve members are in the position illustrated, liquid is directed under pressure from an inlet I6 and into the chamber I5. through which the liquid travels are as follows: from the area ID!) the liquid enters the port I03 and follows a channel I I5 around the outer sleeve 28 and through an escapement III; the escapement I I! is in alignment with an escapement I I9 in the sleeve 30 which communicates with a groove I2I in the inner member 32; the liquid then travels upwardly again through similar escapements I23, I25 which are in communication with the conduit 14.

The ports and escapements During the above described movement, the liquid in the opposite end of the chamber I6 is being transferred'to the common outlet J3 through the conduit-16, through the escapement I24 and into a groove I26 which communicates withlzlm exhaust port I28 and the exhaust chamber 2'.

In order to limit the movement of the valve member 32 with relation to the member 38 so that the ports will be in definite alignment, the face II of the piston I0 is arranged to engage the end of-a bushing I3 in the flange I2, as illustrated in Fig. 4. Movement of the piston III in the other direction is terminated by engagement of the face ,1] with the inside of the cap I9 enclosing the chamber I5.

The above described operation completes the movement of alignment to the next position of dischargeand the valve members are now in the position illustrated in Fig. 4 wherein the ports are aligned to deliver the liquid under pressure to the table movement outlet 22. Referring now to Figs. 4 and 8, the liquid enters the ports I62,

I 34 and is directed downwardly through a slot I30 in the valve member 32 and thence through ports I32, I34 and into the outlet 22 in a manner similar to the discharge through the outlet 26. Likewise, the liquid returned through the outlet 26 is delivered to the exhaust chamber IIZI through the ports I33, I35 and I36 to be discharged through the common exhaust outlet I6.

At the end of the tablemovement stroke the sleeve 30 is given an initial movement such, for example, as one quarter of an inch, through the bell-crank 48 which movement operates to cut off the flow to the discharge outlet 22 and aligns a set of auxiliary portsto effect the completion of the valve movement to the next position of discharge, thatis, through the outlet 24 leading to the second end of the cross-feed actuating mechanism. The position of initial movement of the sleeve 30 is illustrated in Fig. 5 and as therein shown the auxiliary ports are in alignment to apply liquid pressure into the right hand end (Figs. 5 and 6) of chamber III. The liquid entering the inlet I6 and area I66 is diverted into a channel I40 around the sleeve 23 and through an escapement I42 which is in alignment with an escapement I44 and groove I416. The groove I46 in the valve member 32 communicates with a port I48 and channel I53 which leads into one end of the chamber I8.-

During the movement of the sleeve 30 from the position illustrated in Fig. 5 tothe position illustrated in Fig. 6, the liquid contained in the other end of the chamber 18 is being discharged into the common exhaust outlet I8 through a channel I5I, escapement I53, groove I55, escapement I51 and channel I59 which communicates with thelower portion I611 ofthe exhaust port I36 and the exhaust chamber II2. As illustrated in Fig. 6, the movement of the sleeve 30 is terminated by the engagement of the cap 36 with the insideface of the flange I2 in order to secure positive alignment with the new set of ports for discharge through outlet 24. Movement of the ports as shown in Figs. 10, 11 and 12. Since the remaining discharge outlet 25 leading to the hydraulic mechanism for actuating the return stroke of the table receives liquid through ports similar to those for the outlet 22 and which are arranged symmetrically in the valve members, it is thought that the above description of the various ports and escapements is suflicient for a complete understanding of the present invention. Thus, it will be seen that the control valve of the present invention will automatically align itself to a different set of ports after an initial movement of the movable members of said valve has been eflected.

From the above description it will be seen that the control valve of the present invention is adapted to control the flow ofliquid under pressure to and from a plurality of outlets connected to supply hydraulic pressure to the mechanism for actuating the operating members of ,an hydraulically powered machine tool in a novel ,and improved manner. It will also be seen that in the operation of the improved valve, a definite sequence of operations is assured so that the table movement must be completed before a crossfeed movement is started and conversely the cross-feed movement must be completed before table movement can be started, thereby preventing the operation of the cross-feed while the cutting tool is still in contact with the work. It will be -further seen that the resetting feature of the present control valve eliminates the uncertainty of depending upon the momentum of the operating members to change the alignment from one set of ports to another to the: end that deflnite alignment is assured regardless of the speed of the table movement. I

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been herein illustrated and described as embodied in a valve of cylindrical construction,

to each other and provided with a plurality of ports for establishing, fluid connections between the inlet and predetemined different ones of said outlets when the valve members are moved into difierent positions, means rendered operative at the end of the operating stroke 01': each operating member of the machine tool for moving the corresponding valve member into a position to cut off the fluid pressure and flow to the corresponding operating member, and means rendered operative by the initial movement of each valve member for completing'the movement of such valve member into a position to establish communication between the liquid inletand a second outlet whereby to enable operation of the second operating member to commence after completion of the operating stroke of the first operating member. 7

2. The combination with two operating mem bers of an hydraulically operated machine tool,

of a control valve for controlling the lflow of the,

actuating liquid to said operating members, saidi the end of the operating stroke of each operating member of the machine tool for moving the corresponding valve member into a position to out off the fluid pressure and flow to the corresponding operating member, fluid operated means operative by such initial movement of each valve member for hydraulically completing the movement of such valve member into a position to establish communication between the liquid inlet and a second outlet whereby to enable operation of the second operating member to take place after the completion of the stroke of the first operating member.

3. The combination with two operating members of an hydraulically operated machine tool, of a control valve for controlling the flow of the actuating liquid to said operating members, said control valve comprising a valve housing having an inlet and a plurality of outlets, said o utlets being connected to their respective operating member of the machine tool, two valve members within the valve housing movable with relation to each other and provided with a plurality of ports for establishing fluid connections between the inlet and difierent ones of said outlets when the valve members are moved into different positions, means rendered operative at the end of the operating stroke of each operating member of the machine tool for moving the corresponding valve member into a position to cut oil? the fluid pressure and flow to the corresponding operating member, separate fluid operated means for hydraulically completing the movement of such valve member into a position to establish communication between the liquid inlet and a second outlet to thereby initiate the operation of the second operating member and connections for operating each of said separate fluid operated means rendered operative by the initial move ment of said valve.

.4. The combination with two operating members of an hydraulically operated machine tool, of a control valve for controlling the flow of the actuating liquidto said operating members, said control valve comprising a valve housing having an inlet and a plurality of outlets, said outlets being connected to their respective operating member of the machine tool, two valve members within the valve housing movable with relation to each other for establishing fluid connections between the inlet and predetermined different ones 2,172,595 second operating member to commence after 7 to each other and provided with a plurality of ports for establishing fluid connections between the inlet and predetermined diiierent ones of said outlets when the valve members are moved into difierent positions, means rendered operative at the end or the operating stroke of each operating member of the machine tool for moving the corresponding valve member into a position to cut on the fluid pressure and flow to the corresponding operating member and means rendered operative by the initial movement of each valve member for completing the movement of such valve member into a position to establish communication between the liquid inlet'and a second outlet whereby to enable operation of the-second operating member to commence after completion of the operating stroke of the first operating member, said control valve having provision for receiving and disposing of the fluid used to actuate the operating members during the preceding cycle of operation.

6. The combination with two Operating memof a control valve for controlling the flow of the actuating liquid to said operating members, said control valve comprising a valve housing having an inlet and a plurality oi! outlets, said outlets being connected to their respective operating members of the machine tool, two valve members within the valve housing movable with relation to each other and provided with a plurality of ports for establishing fluid connections between the inlet and predetermined diflerent ones of said outlets when the valve members are moved into difterent positions, means rendered operative at the end of the operating stroke of each operating member of the machine tool for moving the corresponding valve member into a position to cut of! the fluid pressure and flow to the corresponding operating member, and means independent of said operating member of the machine tool rendered operative by the initial movement of each valve member for. completing themovement of such valve member into a position to establish completion of the operating stroke of the first operating member.

7. In a control valve particularly adapted for use in controlling the flow of the actuating liquid .to an hydraulically operated machine tool of the type provided with two operating members, a valve housing having an inlet and a-plurality of outlets adapted for connection to their respective operating members of the machine tool, two valve members within the valve housing movable with relation to each other and provided with a plurality of ports adapted to establish fluid connections between the inlet and different ones of said outlets when the valve members are moved ment of said valve members adapted to complete the movement of the corresponding valve member into a position to establish communication between the liquid inlet and a second outlet whereby to enable operation of the second operating member to commence only after completion of the operating strokeof the first operating mem- 8. In a control valve particularly adapted for use in controlling the flow of the actuating liquid to an hydraulically operated machine tool of the a type provided with two operating members, a cylindrical valve housing having an inlet and a plurality of outlets adapted for connection to their respective operating members of the machine tool, two cylindrical valve members, one within the other and both within the housing and movable with relation'to each other and to the housdered operative at the end of the operating stroke of each operating member of the machine tool adapted to move the corresponding valve member into a position to cut oil thefluid pressure and flow to the corresponding operating member,

an auxiliary fluid operated means rendered operative by the initial movement or said valve member adapted to complete the movement or the corresponding valve member into a position to establish communication between the liquid inlet -and a second outlet whereby to enable the operation of the second operating member to commence only after the completion of the operating stroke of the first operating member;

- ANDREW 8. REID. 

